Lightweight foraminous floor panel and cast-in-place concrete



Dec. 12, 1967 s L R 3,357,147

LIGHTWEIGHT FORAMINOUS FLOOR PANEL AND CAST-IN-PLACE; CONCRETE FiledApril 13, 1965 2 Sheets-$heet 1 Dec. 12, 1967 s. LERNER 3,357,147

LIGHTWEIGHT FORAMINOUS FLOOR PANEL AND CASTINPLACE CONCRETE Filed April13, 1965 2 SheetsSheet 2 1 J'amue Z L er'flcr United States Patent3,357,147 LIGHTWEIGHT FORAWJOUS FLOOR PANEL AND CAST-lN-?LACE CONCRETESamuel Lerner, Pawtucket, RL, assignor of fifty percent to SylviaAmatruda, New Haven, Conn. Filed Apr. 13, 1965, Ser. No. 447,711 21Claims. (Cl. 52-326) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention isdirected to a structural floor panel comprising a sheet of undulatingforaminous material defining a plurality of alternately spaced peaks andvalleys extending longitudinally of the foraminous material. Tensionmembers are secured to the bottom of each valley defined by theundulating foraminous sheet and which tension members extend along theentire length of the valleys. The end portions of the tension membersare bent upwardly and incline outwardly of the panel to define endsupports for supporting the structural panel from suitable buildingsupports so that a substantial portion of the panel thickness isdisposed below the top of the building support structure.

By inclining the end portions of the tension members to define the endsupports for the panel the end portions thus act in shear so as toincrease the strength and/ or loading characteristics of the panel.

Strips of foraminous material are supported in the respective valleysintermediate the height thereof and preferably above the neutral axis ofthe panel or floor system defined by the undulating sheet. A layer ofconcrete is poured over the strips of foraminous material whereby theforaminous nature of the material forms a natural bond for the concreteand the form defined by the foraminous material thus becomes an integralpart of the floor panel which cooperates with the concrete to support aload. A base forming sheet of foraminous material may be connected to orsuspended from the undulating sheet of foraminous material.

This invention relates in general to a structural floor system and moreparticularly to a prefabricated foraminous metal panel with castin-place concrete, resulting in a complete floor system.

In the construction of a building utilizing a concrete floor system, itwas heretofore necessary to erect a form on which to support theconcrete While it sets, and steel reinforcing bars had to be used totake the tension. The erection of such forms and the placement ofreinforcing steel in the field required a considerable amount ofmaterial and hard labor, all of which reflected in increasing overallcost of the building. After the concrete has been poured and set, theforms then had to be removed, again at a considerable amount of cost andlabor.

Because concrete can be efliciently loaded in compression only thedesign of a given concrete floor constructed with conventional forms fora given loading condition resulted in an inefficient use of asubstantial portion of the concrete in the floor system. This wasbecause the forms did not form any part of the structural floor systemand therefore, the portion of the concrete disposed below the neutralaxis of the concrete floor was placed in tension when loaded. For thisreason, such concrete floor systems had to be formed of a considerablethickness and reinforcing steel added to insure the load bearingcapabilities of such floors. For this reason, the dead weight of suchfloors was oftentimes considerable, thereby requiring the need for muchheavier contributory supporting structures and the use of tensionmembers. As a result, the cost of 3,357,147 Patented Dec. 12, 1967 suchfloor systems and buildings in general was increased accordingly,

Also, it has been heretofore customary to support the concrete floor onthe top of a supporting beam or joint. Generally such supporting beamand joint comprise an I-beam or channel, which depending upon the loadto be supported thereon, may be of considerable depth. Consequently, inthe finished structure the supporting beams and joints for a floorsystem projected below the subjacent ceiling. As a result the projectingbeams had to be covered or finished. This type of detailing greatlyadded to the cost of a finished structure. Further the projectingsupport beam of the floor system made it impossible to construct aceiling effect having a large uninterrupted expanse which is mostdesirable. Further the projecting support structure subjacent the knownfloor constructions interfered with the circulating of the heating and/or cooling air currents, and thereby adversely affected the heating andcooling of rooms subjacent the prior known concrete floor system.

Further, the supporting of concrete flooring on the top of thesupporting steel, beams or joint increase the overall height of thebuilding. In very tall multiple story buildings the sum of the floorthickness for each story accounts for a substantial portion of theoverall building height. For example, in a building having twenty-fivestores and a floor thickness of 6 to 8 inches, the height attributed tothe sum of the floor thickness would equal approximately 13 to 18 feet.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improvedconcrete floor system in which the concrete thereof is more effectivelyutilized.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved prefabricatedfloor system or panel in which the maximum load bearing characteristicsfor a given designed floor system are attained with a minimum ofconcrete.

It is another object to provide a composite concrete panel constructedof relatively light weight material that becomes an integral part of thefloor system upon the setting of the concrete supported thereby.

Another object is to provide a prefabricated panel constructed andarranged to support the concrete portion of the floor system thereon ina manner so that the concrete is subjected to compression loading only.

Still another object is to provide in a concrete fioor system animproved panel constructed so that it becomes an integral part of thefloor system and which takes the loading of the system in tension.

Another object is to provide a prefabricated floor system in which aminimum of concrete is required for maximum strength for a given floordesign.

Another object is to provide an improved floor system which is entirelyfireproof.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel end constructionsfor supporting the floor system or panel of this invention betweensuitable supporting structure either as a simply supported structure oras a continuous structure.

It is another object to provide novel end constructions for supportingthe floor system or panels from the supporting structure or beam in amanner such that a substantial portion of the floor thickness is belowthe tip of the supporting structure.

Another object is to provide means for supporting a floor system orpanel between supporting steel or beams in The foregoing objects andother features and advantages are attained by a prefabricated floorpanel having cast in-place concrete comprising a form that includes abase forming sheet of foraminous material supported or suspended from aundulating sheet of foraminous material to define a series oflongitudinally extending corrugations having alternating peaks andvalleys. Tension members are secured to the bottom of each corrugationor valley defined by the undulating foraminous sheet. The tensionmembers extend along the entire length of the corrugations with the endportions thereof being upwardly bent.

In accordance with this invention, the upwardly bent end portions of thetension members define the means to which various novel end supports maybe secured for supporting the form between the beams or joints of asuitable supporting structure. If desired, the end portions of theforaminous base sheet may also be upwardly turned to complement theupwardly bend end portions of the tension members.

Strips of foraminous material are supported in the respectivecorrugations or valleys intermediate the height thereof above theneutral axis of the panel or floor system. Accordingly, with the panelso constructed, a layer of concrete is poured over the strips offoraminous material, the foraminous nature of the material providing anatural bond for the concrete. Accordingly, the form becomes an integralpart of the floor panel which cooperates with the concrete to support aload.

In accordance with this invention novel end supports are provided tosuspend the floor panel or system between adjacent supporting beams orjoints so that a substantial portion of the floor thickness is disposedbelow the top of the supporting beams or joints.

A feature of this invention resides in provision of a concrete floorsystem which includes an improved light weight form or panel that can bereadily handled, and which is constructed so as to become an integralpart of the floor system upon the setting of the concrete thereon.

Another feature resides in the provision of a form for a concrete floorsystem that is constructed and arranged to reduce to a, minimum theamount of concrete required to take the compression loading of the floorsystem.

Another feature resides in the provision wherein the portion of thefloor system or panels defines a series of hollow passages in which thepiping or electrical conduits of a building may be housed.

Another feature resides in the provision of variously constructed novelend support arrangements for supporting the ends of the floor system orpanel on the supporting structure of a building, so that the depth ofthe overall floor system is almost entirely included between buildingsupports reducing height of buildings effecting great economy inbuilding cost, heating and air conditioning, loading, structural steel,windows, wall, etc.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent whenconsidered in view of the specification and drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 illustrates a perspective view of a structural floor panel orform of this invention in which the layer of concrete is not shown.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of the improved floor panel of FIGURE 1supported between a pair of building support structures by one of thenovel end connections to reduce building costs.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 2, havingparts broken away.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged detailed view of one of the novel end supportmeans of the panel of FIGURES 1 through 3.

FIGURE 5 is a modified form of a novel end support for the floor systemor panel of the present invention.

FIGURE 6 is another modified form of a novel end support construction.

FIGURE 7 is still another modified form of a novel end supportconstruction.

FIGURE 8 is still another modified form of a novel end supportconstruction.

FIGURE 9 illustrates still another modified form of the novel endconstruction which permits the panels to act as a continuous structureby providing means at either end connected to hold positive reinforcingsteel over building supports.

FIGURE 10 is a plan view of the end support construction of FIGURE 9with the layer of concrete not shown.

FIGURE 11 is another novel form of end connection.

FIGURE 12 illustrates a perspective view of a modified form of the floorpanel in accordance with this invention using preformed steel sheets inlieu of open lath or expanded metal.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in FIGURES 1 through 3 theimproved structural floor panel 20 of the instant invention. As shown,the form or panel 20 comprises a rectangular base sheet 21 of foraminousmaterial, e.g. open wire lath, expanded metal, perforated plate and thelike. Accordingly, the base sheet 21 is sized to extend between a pairof supporting columns, beams, or joist of a building frame 22. As shown,the respective opposed marginal end portions of the foraminous basesheet 21 are upwardly turned as indicated at 21A and 2113.

An undulating sheet 23 of foraminous material, as above mentioned, isconnected to the foraminous base sheet 21. In the illustrated form, theundulating sheet 23 is provided with a series of corrugations or V-shapepeaks and valleys to define a plurality of longitudinally extendingvalleys or channels. Means in the form of wire strings, clips or thelike suitably secures or ties the undulating sheet 23 to the base sheet21, As best seen in FIGURES 2 and 3, the height of the peaks 24 definedby the undulating sheet 23 extend above or beyond the upturned endportions 21A, 21B of the base sheet 21.

In accordance with this invention, a tension member or rod 25 extendslongitudinally across the length of th base sheet. As shown, the tensionmembers 25 are located at the bottom of their respective valleys andthey each extend the length of the panel. The opposed end portions 25Aof the respective tension members are upwardly turned with the tip ends26 thereof horizontally bent. If desired, the end portions 21A, 21B ofthe base foraminous sheet 21 may be turned to complement the upturnedend portions 25A of the respective tension members 25.

Supported intermediate the valleys defined by the respective undulationsof the sheet 23 is a forarninous strip 27 of material that extendslongitudinally of the respective valleys. If desired, the strips 27 maybe loosely supported, or may be tied in position on the opposed sidewall portions of the valley at a position intermediate the heightthereof about the neutral axis of the panel. The ends of the strip 27are laterally extended adjacent the ends of the peaks 24. A layer ofconcrete 28 is normally supported on the foraminous strips 27 and theforaminous peaks 24 extending thereabove wherein the naturalcharacteristics of the foraminous material provide a mechanical bond forthe concrete as it sets in place thereon.

As best seen in FIGURE 3, the layer of concrete 28 is supported on thefloor panel described so that the bottom of the concrete layer islocated at substantially the level of the foraminous strips 27.Interposed with the layer of concrete 28 there may be embedded atemperature mesh 28A.

To facilitate the joining of adjacent panels in a complete fioor system,the opposed longitudinal portion of the undulating foraminous sheet 23is provided with an outwardly turned lip 29 which is arcuate or troughshape in cross-section. Thus, in assemblying floor panels 20 hereindescribed in side-by-side relationship, the contiguous ends adjacentfloor panels may be disposed in interengaging overlapping relation. Aninterlocking arrangement of adjacent floor panels is attained whichprohibits concrete from falling therebetween and out the subadjacentstructure during the pouring thereof. As best seen in FIGURE 3, the basesheet 21 is formed so that at one end 30 thereof will overextend theadjacent lip 29, while at the other end 31, the lip 29 over-extends thebase sheet 21. Thus, when adjacent panels 2% are set in place betweensupporting structure, a tight interconnecting joint is attained betweenpanels. See FIGURE 1.

A novel end support for the panel 20, described comprises alongitudinally extending angled member 32 having a horizontal legportion 32A and a vertical leg 32B portion. The arrangement is such thatthe upper horizontally bent tip end 26 of the respective tension members25 are adapted to be secured to the outer surface of the horizontal leg32A of the angle member. Thus, as best seen in FIGURE 4, the tip ends 26of the respective tension members 25 are suitably secured to the anglemember by welding 33 or the like. As seen in FIGURE 4, the leg portionsof the angle member 32 are disposed so that the horizontal leg 32A issupported on the edge of a building support such as an I-beam flange 22Aor joist. Accordingly, the angle member 32 so supported along the flangeof the I beam 22 provides a positive seal to prevent the flow ofconcrete about the supporting I beam when the concrete is poured ontothe structural floor panel and the I beams supporting the same. Ifdesired, the horizontal leg 32A of the angle 32 may be tacked welded tothe flage of the beam 22 to hold the same in position during erection.

The end support described functions to support the panel 20 between thesupporting building structure so that a substantial portion of the panelthickness is disposed below the top of the support structure. In thismanner it will be noted that the amount of supporting beam 22 extendingbelow the panel is substantially minimized, and in many instances thebottom of the panel can be made flush with the bottom of the beam 22.Consequently, the subjacent ceiling can be made free of interruption dueto projecting beams. As a result many of the problems presented byprojecting means can be totally eliminated. Further by suspending thefloor panels between adjacent beams as rendered possible by the novelend supports, the overall height of a multi-storied building can beminimized, all else being equal. This is due to the fact that asubstantial portion of the overall floor panel thickness is disposedbelow the top of the steel. Another feature of the end constructiondescribed is that the angle 32 supported as described tends to provide aleveled base for the floor panels. Thus irregularities or unevenness inthe flanges of the supporting beam can be disregarded.

FIGURE illustrates another form of novel end support for the floorstructure herein described. In this form of the invention, floorstructure is supported simply by resting the horizontally bent tip end26 of the tension member 25 on the flange 22A of the I-beam, whereby thetip ends 26 are secured to the beam by welding 34.

In FIGURE 6 another modified form of novel end support structure isshown. In this form, the end support structure comprises an angledmember 40 in which the horizontal leg portion 40A is turned to sit orrest upon the flange 22A of the supporting beam 22. The vertical legportion 408 is disposed so as to extend upwardly therefrom with theouter surface of the vertical leg disposed adjacent the edge of theflange of the beam. Accordingly, the vertical leg 40B is provided with aplurality of longitudinally spaced apertures 41 which are disposed inalignment with the tip ends 26 of the tension members for receiving thesame. The tip ends 26 of the tension member 25 are secured to thesurface of the horizontal leg 40A by means of Welding 35. Ashereinbefore described, the panel may be held in place by tack weldingthe angle to the beams during erection.

In FIGURE 7, the novel end support comprises a rod 6 45 which extendstransversely along the width of panel 20 of the respective laterallybent tip ends 26 of the respective tension members 25 with the rod 45suitably secured thereto by welding 46. The rod end support 45 is thensupported on the flange 22A of the supporting I-beam 22 by resting thesame thereon.

In FIGURE 8 there is illustrated still another modified form of novelend support. In this form of the invention, the end support againcomprises an angled member in which the horizontal leg 50A thereof isadapted to sit upon the flange 22A of the supporting I-beam 22 with thevertical leg 50B extending upwardly therefrom. Accordingly, the verticalleg is spaced inwardly from the outer edge of the I-beam flange with thetip ends 26 of the tension members 25 secured to the horizontal leg 50Aat the junction of the angle member 50- by welding.

The respective novel end supports as specifically shown and describedwith reference to FIGURES 4 through 8 are such that the floor panel issupported between adjacent supports as a simple structure. In the eventit is desirable to support the floor panel 20, herein described, as acontinuous structure, an end support as shown in FIG- URES 9 and 10 isutilized. As shown therein the end support for supporting the floorpanel as a continuous structure comprises an angled support membersimilar to that described with reference to FIGURE 8. However, thevertical leg 60A of the support angle 60 is provided with a plurality oflongitudinally spaced recesses or grooves 61 which define seats forreceiving a field applied reinforcing steel bar 62 as shown in FIGURES 9and 10. Accordingly, when the ends of adjacent panels 20A, 20B of thetype herein described are supported on a common support 22, as shown inFIGURE 9, reinforcing bar 62 is rested in the aligned grooves 61 of theadjacent end support angles 6060. Accordingly, when the concrete 28 ispoured thereover, the tie bar 62 is set in place therein and thusfunctions as a tie means for connecting the two adjacent floorstructures 20A, 20B together so that the load is carried thereby in thenature of a continuous structure.

FIGURE 11 illustrates still another novel construction. In this form aplate 65 is supported on the flange of the supporting beam 22 and theends 26 of the respective tension members 25 are secured to the plate65. Accordingly the plate 65 provides a level surface, as it will tendto overcome any irregular surfaces on the flange of the -beam 22.

FIGURE 12 illustrates a modified form of the invention. In this form ofthe invention, the floor structure is substantially similar to thatdescribed in FIGURE 1 except that the foraminous components which makeup the floor sytem, i.e. the base sheet 71, the undulating sheet 72, andthe strips 73 are formed of perforated sheet material, as for examplesheet steel. Accordingly, that portion of the sheet material which comesinto contact with the concrete is perforated so that the concrete maybecome bonded thereto. In all other respects the floor panel 70 ofFIGURE 11 is similar to that described with reference to FIGURES 1through 3. Accordingly, the novel end supports for panel of FIGURE 12may be the same as those herein described, with reference to FIGURES 4through 11.

From the foregoing, it will be noted that the improved floor panel orstructural support systems 20 and 70 described are particularly arrangedto minimize the amount of concrete required to support a given load.This is rendered possible because the composite structure describedenables the concrete 28 to be disposed well above the neutral axis ofthe panel whereby it is loaded in compression only, with the load intension being carried by the tension members extending longitudinallythereof. Consequently, the amount of concrete 28 required is reduced toa minimum because the thickness of the concrete layer can he thereforeminimized. As a result, the dead weight of the floor is reducedaccordingly, permitting the use of lighter weight tension members andsupporting structure, all of which result in lowering overall buildingcosts.

The novel end connections further effect a reduction in building andmaintenance costs in that they result in a saving of building materials,window wall, etc. and in heating and cooling of the finished structureor building.

Also, as evidenced in FIGURES 2 and 3, the undulations defined by sheetdisposed below the neutral axis of the floor system or panel define alongitudinally extending channel or passageway 38 which can be utilizedto accommodate or conceal the plumbing, piping, electrical conduits, andthe like of a building between floor structures. It will be furthernoted that suitable plaster or other ceiling forming material 39 may beadhered or secured to the bottom of base sheet 21 to provide a ceilingfor the subjacent story. While the flooring or panel herein described ispreferably formed so that the concrete is poured thereon in the field,it will be apparent that if desired the composite panel may be preformedwith the concrete set in place at the point of manufacture, andthereafter be shipped out as a complete finished composite panel forimmediate erection in the field.

While the instant invention has been described with reference toparticular embodiments thereof, it will be readily understood andappreciated that variations and modifications thereof may be madewithout departing from the spirit or scope of the instant invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A light-weight structural floor panel adapted to be disposed inside-by-side relationship to define a given floor system, theimprovement comprising:

a sheet of undulating foraminou material,

said undulating material defining a plurality of alternately spacedpeaks and valleys wherein said peaks and valleys are disposed inparallel,

a foraminous strip of material extending longitudinally of each valley,

each of said strips being supported between the sides of adjacent peaksintermediate the height thereof,

said undulating sheet having opposed longitudinally extending terminalmarginal portions for permitting contiguous engagement of adjacentpanels when disposed in sideby-side relationship in a given floorsystern,

a tension member disposed at the bottom of each valley,

said tension member extending longitudinally the length of itsassociated valley,

said tension member having connected upwardly extending end portions forsupporting the ends of said undulating material on a suitable supportingstructure so that a substantial portion of the panel thickness isdisposed below the top of the supporting structure, said connectedupwardly extending end portions of said tension members are outwardlyinclined so that said end portions act in shear in supporting said panelbetween building structures for enhancing the strength and loadingcharacteristics of said panel when placed in operation.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 and including a layer of concretecast in-place on said undulating sheet and said strip of materialdisposed intermedaite the height of said alternate undulations to definea composite structural form panel.

3. A light weight structural floor system including a plurality ofpanels disposed in side-by-side relationship,

(a) each of said panels including a base sheet of foraminous material,

(b) a sheet of undulating material from which is supported the surfaceof said base sheet,

(c) said undulating material defining a plurality of alternating spacedpeaks and valleys wherein said peaks and valleys are disposed inparallel and extend substantially co-extensive with length of said basesheet,

(d) a foraminous strip of material extending longitudinally of eachvalley defined by said undulating sheet,

(e) each of said strips being supported on the sides of adjacent peaksintermediate the height thereof,

(f) said undulating sheet having its opposed longitudinally extendingmarginal portions terminating in a laterally extending lip to permitoverlapping engagement of adjacent panels when disposed in side-by-siderelationship in a given fioor system,

(g) a tension member connected to the bottom of each valley,

(h) said tension member extending longitudinally to the entire length ofits associated valley,

(i) said tension member having an upturned and outwardly inclined endportion whereby said outwardly inclined end portion acts in shear insupporting said panel to increase the strength and loadingcharacteristics of said panel when placed in operation,

(m) and, end support means connected to the upturned ends of saidtension members.

4. A light weight structural floor panel adapted to be disposed inside-by-side relationship to define a given floor system, theimprovement of comprising:

(a) a base sheet of foraminous material having upturned end portions,

(b) said base sheet being substantially rectangular in shape,

(0) a sheet of undulating material which supports the surface of saidbase sheet,

(d) said undulating material defining a plurality of alternately spacedpeaks and valleys wherein said peaks and valleys are disposed inparallel and extend substantially the length of said base sheet,

(e) said peaks extending upwardly beyond the upturned end portions ofsaid base sheet,

(f) a foraminous strip of material extending longitudinally of eachvalley,

(g) each of said strips being supported on the sides of the adjacentpeaks intermediate the height thereof,

(h) said undulating sheet having in opposed longitudinally extendingmarginal portions terminating in a laterally turned lip portion topermit overlapping engagement of adjacent panels when disposed insideby-side relationship in a given floor system,

(i) a tension member connected to the bottom of each valley,

(j) said tension member extending longitudinally to the entire length ofits associated valley, and

(k) said tension member having upturned end portions clclirresponding tothe upturned ends of said base s eet,

(1) said strip of material having its opposed ends supported on theupturned end portion of said tension members,

(m) and, end support means connected to the upturned end portion of saidtension members.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said foraminous materialcomprises metallic lath.

6. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said foraminous materialcomprises perforated plate.

7. A light weight composite structural floor panel adapted to bedisposed in side-by-side relationship to define a given fioor system,said panel comprising:

(a) a base sheet of foraminous material having upturned end portions,

(b) said base sheet being substantially rectangular in shape,

(c) a sheet of undulating foraminous material connected to the surfaceof said base sheet,

(d) said undulating foraminous material defining a plurality ofalternately spaced peaks and valleys with said peaks and valleysdisposed in parallel and extending substantially the length of said basesheet,

(e) said peaks extending upwardly beyond the upturned end portions ofsaid base sheet,

(f) a foraminous strip of material extending longitudinally of eachvalley of said undulated sheet,

(g) each of said strips being supported on the sides of adjacent peaksintermediate the height thereof at approximately the neutral axis ofsaid composite panel,

(h) said undulating sheet having its opposed longitudinally extendingmarginal portions terminating in a laterally turned lip portion topermit overlapping engagement of adjacent panels disposed in side-bysiderelationship in a given floor system,

(i) a tension member extending along the bottom of each valley,

(1) said tension member extending longitudinally along the entire lengthof its respective valley,

(k) and said tension member having upturned end portions correspondingto the upturned ends of said base sheet,

(i) said strip having its opposed ends supported on the turned up endportions of its corresponding tension member,

(In) end support means connected to the upturned ends of tension membersfor supporting said panel onto a supporting structure,

(n) and, a layer of concrete cast in-place over side strips and peaksdisposed therebetween whereby said concrete is supported above theneutral axis of said panel so as to be placed in compression only whenloaded.

8. The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein the longitudinal edgeportion of the base sheet extends beyond the lip portion of saidundulating sheet along one side of the panel only.

9. The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein said end support meansfor each end of said panel comprises:

(a) an angled structural member having a horizontal leg portion and avertical leg portion,

(b) and, means connecting the upturned end portion of said tensionmembers to the outer surface of said horizontal leg portion.

10. The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein said end support meanscomprises:

(a) a rod extending transversely of the upturned ends of each of saidtension members,

(b) and, means securing the end of each of said tension members to saidrod.

11. The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein said end support meanscomprises:

(a) an angled member having a horizontal leg portion adapted to rest ona supporting beam, and vertically extending leg portion,

(b) said vertical leg portion having a plurality of openingslongitudinally spaced along the length thereof,

(c) said opening being disposed in' alignment with the upturned ends ofsaid tensioning members whereby the ends of the latter are extendedthrough said aligned openings,

(d) and, means securing the ends of said tensioning members extendedthrough said openings to said horizontal leg of said angled member.

12. The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein said end support foreach of said panels includes:

(a) an angled structural member having a horizontal leg and a verticalleg portion,

(b) and, means for securing the upturned ends of said tension members tothe inner surface of said horizontal leg portion.

13. The invention as defined in claim 12 wherein said vertical legportion is formed in longitudinally spaced notches in the edge thereof,and a tie rod adapted to seat in said notches for tying adjacent panelsdisposed in endto-end relation together for continuous beam loading.

14. The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein said end supportcomprises:

(a) an elongated plate adapted to be rested on a build ing support,

(b) the ends of said tension members being secured to said plate.

15. In a building structure a floor system comprising:

(a) a pair of spaced apart building support structures,

(b) a floor panel adapted to be suspended between said supportstructures,

(c) said panel including a base sheet of foraminous material and anundulating form of formaninous material connected to the surface of saidbase sheet,

(d) a strip of foraminous material supported between adjacent pairs ofundulations at approximately the neutral axis thereof,

(e) tension members extended along the valleys to the respectiveundulations, said tension members having upturned and outwardly inclinedend portions Whereby said outwardly inclined end portion of said tension members acts in shear when said panel is sup ported between saidspaced building support structures,

(f) a layer of concrete on said strips, and

(g) said upturned end portions being supported by said building supportsso that a substantial thickness of said panel is disposed below the topof the support structure.

16. The invention as defined in claim 15 and including an end supportmeans for each end of said panel comprising:

(a) an angled structural member having a horizontal leg portion and avertical leg portion,

(b) and, means connecting the upturned end portion of said tensionmembers to the outer surface of said horizontal leg portion, and saidangled member being adapted to be supported on said building supports.

17. The invention as defined in claim 15 including an end support meanscomprising:

(a) a rod extending transversely of the upturned ends of each of saidtension members,

(b) and, means securing the end of each of said tension members to saidrod.

18. The invention as defined end support means comprising:

(a) an angled member having a horizontal leg portion adapted to rest ona building support, and vertically extending leg portion,

(b) said vertical leg portion having a plurality of openingslongitudinally spaced along the length thereof,

(c) said opening being disposed in alignment with the upturned ends ofsaid tensioning members whereby the ends of the latter are extendedthrough said aligned openings,

(d) and, means securing the ends of said tensioning members extendedthrough said openings to said horizontal leg of said angled member.

19. The invention as defined in claim 15 including an end support forsaid panels comprising:

(a) an angled structural member having a horizontal leg and a verticalleg portion,

(b) and, means for securing the upturned ends of said tension members tothe inner surface of said horizontal leg portion.

20. The invention as defined in claim 19 wherein said vertical legportion is formed in longitudinally spaced notches in the edge thereof,and a reinforcing bar adapted to seat in said notches for tying adjacentpanels disposed in end-to-end relation together for continuous beamloading.

21. The invention as defined in claim 15 including an end support meanscomprising an elongated plate adapted to rest on said building sup-port,and said tension members being secured to said plate.

in claim 15 including an (References on following page) 1 1 1 2References Cited 679,430 7/ 1901 Schratwiesser 52330 693,429 2/ 1902 Orr52326 UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,986,171 1/1935 Wilson 52-326 X 11/1891 Orr52-577 X 3,003,290 10/1961 Lerner 52724 3/1892 Orr 52-326 X 5 1/1896Fordyce 52*422 X FRANK L. ABBOTT, Prnnary Exammer. 8/ 1898 Jenkins52-326 A. C. PERI-1AM. Assistant Examiner.

1. A LIGHT-WEIGHT STRUCTURAL FLOOR PANEL ADAPTED TO BE DISPOSED INSIDE-BY-SIDE RELATIONSHIP TO DEFINE A GIVEN FLOOR SYSTEM, THEIMPROVEMENT COMPRISING: A SHEET OF UNDULATING FORAMINOUS MATERIAL, SAIDUNDULATING MATERIAL DEFINING A PLURALITY OF ALTERNATELY SPACED PEAKS ANDVALLEYS WHEREIN SAID PEAKS AND VALLEYS ARE DISPOSED IN PARALLEL, AFORAMINOUS STRIP OF MATERIAL EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY OF EACH VALLEY,EACH OF SAID STRIPS BEING SUPPORTED BETWEEN THE SIDES OF ADJACENT PEAKSINTERMEDIATE THE HEIGHT THEREOF, SAID UNDULATING SHEET HAVING OPPOSEDLONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING TERMINAL MARGINAL PORTIONS FOR PERMITTINGCONTIGUOUS ENGAGEMENT OF ADJACENT PANELS WHEN DISPOSED IN SIDE-BY-SIDERELATIONSHIP IN A GIVEN FLOOR SYSTEM, A TENSION MEMBER DISPOSED AT THEBOTTOM OF EACH VALLEY, SAID TENSION MEMBER EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY THELENGTH OF ITS ASSOCIATED VALLEY,